UM Initiates Redesign of Missoula College – Lifelong Learning

Following the initial discussion that began on Tuesday regarding the recommended changes at UM’s Mountain Campus, President Bodnar announced a new effort to redesign the Missoula College and the Lifelong Learning opportunities.

Spokesperson Paula Short described the process that President Bodnar and the University Planning Committee have initiated with the newly completed Missoula College across the Clark Fork River from the main campus.

“The president has initiated a process to take a look at our extended portfolio of extended education in the two-year realm as well as distance learning, online offerings, continuing ed and certificates and two year education,” said Short. “We’ve announced today an opportunity to look at that redesign. We have asked the dean of UM’s School of Extended and Lifelong Learning, Roger MacLean to serve as the interim dean as we go through this process. It will be an exciting discussion as we take the Missoula College to another level.”

In his recommendation released yesterday, President Bodnar proposed the reduction of two FTE positions at Missoula College, and several minor programs that will be phased out over the next three years.

Former Missoula College Dean Shannon O’Brien stepped down at the end of 2017, and Short said the search for the next dean of Missoula College will commence after the redesign and resulting recommendations are completed.